The 24-year-old American and her Australian friend were traveling in Canada when they were killed

A search is underway in Canada after a 24-year-old American and her Australian boyfriend were found dead earlier this week on a remote highway in British Columbia.

The bodies of 24-year-old Chynna Noelle Deese and Lucas Robertson Fowler, 23, were found on Monday just before 7:20 am on Alaska Highway 97 near Liard Hot Springs, a tourist attraction.

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A blue Chevrolet van in which the couple

Chynna Noelle Deese Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The couple had just started a road trip in Canada when they were murdered, Deeses brother told Charlotte Observer. the couple's van may have broken down or overheated before they were killed.

"Something happened on this road, a kind of conflict," he said.

Mark Jones, deputy police commissioner of New South Wales in Australia, At a press briefing on Saturday, Janelle Shoihet said the couple may have been shot dead Fowler's father is an active member of the New South Wales police.

The spokeswoman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Polic e refused to confirm how the couple was killed At a press conference on Friday, Shoihet said the deaths were considered murder.

The police have no suspects and do not know whether Deese and Fowler have been selected as targets or whether they are fatal casualties, "the department said in a press release.

Investigators demand that anyone In the Liard Hot Springs area, around 4:00 pm on July 14, and around 8:00 am on July 15, in the area around Liard Hot Springs, they call on the police.

"We're particularly into" I'm interested in Talk to someone who might have a dashcam shot, "the police said.

Deese was from Charlotte, North Carolina. Her brother, British Deese, told Charlotte Observer that she and Fowler had been together since 2017 after meeting in a hostel in Croatia. The British said Fowler had recently moved to Canada after getting a job on a cattle farm.

"They were deeply in love," he said. "They met while traveling and that's what they did – traveling – he worked in Canada and they planned a long road trip there for three weeks, spending a week on the ranch and the second half of the trip in national parks in Canada.

Lucas Robertson Fowler Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Fowler family said in a statement on the New South Wales police website that they have been devastated by death.

"We have ours dear Lucas Fowler, son, brother, grandson and friend lost in the most terrible circumstances. Losing someone so young and alive and traveling To enjoy the world and life to the fullest is devastating, "said the family.

" To know his beautiful friend Chynna Deese from Charlotte, North Carolina , has also lost her life in this violent event. All our love is too cruel and best wishes go to Chynna's family and friends, "the statement said, adding that the Fowlers are traveling to Canada" to be with our boy and bring him home ,